One dead, three hurt in Dan Ryan crash

At least one man from Steger was killed and three other people were hurt when a minivan rear-ended a car stopped in the express lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway near 26th Street this morning.

Illinois State Police Sgt. Jose R. De Jesus said in an e-mailed statement that at about 4:20 o’clock in the morning, a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica was stopped for traffic ahead while traveling northbound in the express lanes on I-94 near 26th Street.

While the Chrysler stopped, it was rear-ended by a 2005 Chevrolet Uplander minivan, which caused the Chevrolet to hit the right wall and flip over. The minivan was occupied by three people, but at this time, it is not clear who was behind the wheel, the statement said.

One of the minivan’s occupants was seriously injured and immediately transported to the Northwestern Hospital while another victim, identified as 32-year-old Dennis Moore of Steger, was transported to John Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, as stated in the report.

Moore a resident of the 3000 block of West 34th Street in the south suburb was pronounced dead at 5:08 a.m. at Hospital Stroger, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

The driver of the Chrysler was also transported to Stroger hospital but he had non-life threatening injuries.

As investigation is ongoing, no charges have been filed at this time, the report continued..

Despite of the mishap, local lanes remained open but express lanes had earlier been closed at 26th Street before it was re-opened in mid-morning.

Chicago Fire Department spokesman Kevin MacGregor said that fire officials transported four people to area hospitals in critical condition. All of the injured were trapped inside the vehicles and had to be extricated.

Two of those injured were taken to Stroger hospital, and two were taken to Northwestern Memorial, MacGregor said.

Car Accident victims may be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering in addition to economic damages.